Colaptes caper collaris
- noun
- Specialized
- Birdwatchers noted the distinct red feathers of the Colaptes caper collaris during their hike.
Examples
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The Colaptes caper collaris is often seen foraging on the ground in western states.
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Researchers study the migration patterns of the Colaptes caper collaris every spring.
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Look at that Colaptes caper collaris!
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The Colaptes caper collaris is beautiful.
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During their hike in the desert, birdwatchers spotted a Colaptes caper collaris foraging on the ground.
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Researchers have documented the red undersurfaces of the wings of the Colaptes caper collaris in their studies.
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In the western United States, the Colaptes caper collaris is commonly seen feeding on ants and beetles.
Synonyms
A large woodpecker with red feathers under its wings and on its tail that lives in the western United States
Surface Forms
Morphology
Colaptes + caper + collaris
This is a scientific Latin binomial (taxonomic name) rather than a compositional English phrase, so its meaning as the 'red-shafted flicker' is an arbitrary label not derivable from the parts. The constituent items are either specialized (genus name) or unanalyzed/missing in the input, and Latin epithets like 'collaris' are not transparently interpretable by a B1 learner, making the expression non-compositional and unpredictable.
Etymology
Colaptes caper collaris may come from older words meaning Colaptes 'pecker', caper 'red', and collaris 'collar'. This gives a clear picture of a woodpecker with red feathers on its wings and tail, so the name describes the red-shafted flicker and helps you remember it.